Overview

Urabandai Lake Resort Geihinkan Nekoma Rikyu brings highland scenery, refined resort design, and hot spring bathing together in the Bandai-Asahi National Park area of Fukushima. Set at about 800 meters above sea level, the resort looks toward Mount Bandai and Lake Hibara, giving you a strong sense of place from the moment you arrive. The famous Goshiki-numa Ponds are only 3 minutes on foot, making this an excellent base for nature walks, photography, and seasonal escapes.

This is a resort for travelers who want comfort, space, and easy access to Urabandai’s outdoor beauty without giving up polished service. You can spend the day exploring lakes, forests, snowfields, or walking trails, then return for onsen bathing, dinner, and quiet time in a spacious room.

Accommodation

Geihinkan Nekoma Rikyu offers 83 rooms, with a focus on generous layouts and a classic resort atmosphere. Room types range from Standard Twin rooms at 36㎡ to the Royal Suite at 200㎡, giving you options for a short mountain break, a special occasion, or a longer retreat.

Rooms include a bathroom, washbasin, toilet with washlet, TV, refrigerator, hairdryer, lighting stand, safety box, and Wi-Fi. Amenities include hand soap, body soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush set, towels, nightwear, yukata, and slippers. All rooms are non-smoking, with a designated smoking room available in the main building.

For more space, the suites offer larger living areas and stronger views. The Lake View Suite and Luxury Suite are both 82㎡, while Premium Suite categories reach 139㎡. The Premium Japanese Suite can accommodate up to eight people on futon bedding, making it a strong option for group travel.

Dining

Dining gives you several ways to enjoy the resort. Hibara Dining in the main building serves a buffet with more than 50 Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes, including live kitchen items, Fukushima Aizu local cuisine, and seasonal ingredients. Breakfast runs from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and dinner runs from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., though hours may change depending on the day.

For Japanese cuisine, Waraku serves dinner from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with last entry at 8:00 p.m. The restaurant focuses on fresh domestic seafood and mountain produce from Fukushima Aizu, giving the meal a local character.

For a more refined evening, French Restaurant Maple is located on the 3rd floor of Geihinkan Nekoma Rikyu. It serves full-course French dining from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with last entry at 8:00 p.m., along with wine selected by the in-house sommelier.

Onsen and Wellness

The onsen facilities for Geihinkan Nekoma Rikyu are reserved for those staying in this building, creating a more private bathing atmosphere. The open-air bath overlooks Lake Hibara, and the hot spring is rich in natural metasilicic acid, known in Japan as a beauty-skin mineral.

Inside, you can use a spacious indoor bath, a high-temperature sauna, and a private bath made from fragrant Aomori hiba cypress. The large bath uses circulation filtration for hygiene and hot spring protection, while the small tubs use free-flowing hot spring water.

The indoor bath and sauna open from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The private bath opens from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with last entry at 9:00 p.m. It costs ¥1,000 per hour, including tax, and can accommodate up to four people. You can also use the large baths in the main building, Goshiki-no-Mori.

Guests with Tattoos

Since the property has shared public baths, you should contact the resort before arrival if you have visible tattoos and want to use the large bath. The private Aomori hiba bath may be the best option if you prefer a more discreet bathing experience, but you should confirm current rules with the hotel before booking.

Facilities

The resort gives you plenty to enjoy indoors as well as outdoors. The Playing Spot in the main building offers billiards, darts, table tennis, simulation golf, and a bar, creating an easy evening option after dinner. Karaoke Room Rainbow has 10 rooms for groups of 2 to 15 people and is available by advance reservation.

For slower moments, the Observation Lounge on the 5th floor overlooks Lake Hibara through large windows, while Cafe Lounge Kohan in Geihinkan Nekoma Rikyu offers a bright lobby-floor space with panoramic views of Urabandai. The main building also has Urabandai Cafe, which serves specialty coffee, handmade cakes, and seasonal pasta.

You can also use the Activity Station for activity bookings, ski and snowboard rentals in winter, the souvenir shop for Aizu sake and Kitakata ramen, and the esthetics and massage service for aroma and reflexology treatments with advance reservation. Free parking is available for 350 cars on a first-come, first-served basis.

Activities

The resort places you close to some of Urabandai’s best-known outdoor experiences. The Goshiki-numa trail is only a short walk away and has received one star in the Michelin Green Guide. You can explore it with a local nature guide and enjoy the colors, ponds, and forest scenery at a relaxed pace.

Seasonal activities include SUP on Lake Hibara, wakasagi fishing, Bandaisan Panorama Tour, snowshoe walking, hole fishing in winter, Akabeko painting, local nature talks, and bicycle rental. This makes the resort appealing across the year, whether you come for fresh green landscapes, autumn colors, powder snow, or quiet lake views.

Additional Features

The resort offers 83 rooms, breakfast and dinner, Geihinkan-only onsen facilities, a private Aomori hiba bath, sauna, access to the main building baths, restaurants, cafés, bars, karaoke, indoor recreation, massage treatments, activity support, bicycle rental, ski and snowboard rental in winter, free Wi-Fi, and free parking for 350 cars. A free shuttle bus connects the resort with Inawashiro Station, with multiple departures listed on the official access page.